ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Railways
First contingent of 216 delegates for Kashi Tamil Sangamam to board train starting today from Tamil Nadu
• During month long Kashi Tamil Sanagamam, 13 train services shall run from Tamil Nadu to Kashi.
• These 12 trains shall carry 2592 delegates from Tamil Nadu.
• Delegates shall commence their journey from Rameswaram, Tiruchchirappalli, Coimbatore, Chennai.
• These trains shall halt at 21 stations enroute.
During month long ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam’, Indian Railways shall run total 13 services from Tamil Nadu to Kashi, Uttar Pradesh. The first rake carrying 216 delegates for Kashi Tamil Sangamam starts today from Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. About 35 delegates from Rameswaram, 103 from Tiruchchirappalli and 78 from Chennai Egmore will board the train for participation in the first train leaving from Tamil Nadu. Thiru R.N. Ravi, Governor of Tamil Nadu shall interact with the delegates and flag off the train at Chennai Egmore tomorrow . Dr L. Murugan, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry, Government of India will also be present on the occasion.
These train services shall carry 2592 delegates from Tamil Nadu. The delegates shall commence their journey from Rameswaram, Coimbatore and Chennai. These trains shall halt at 21 stations enroute. Each rake shall carry 216 passengers.
Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2022 is an initiative of the Government of India as part of “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav”. It will be a celebration of the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ and will also celebrate the beautiful Tamil language as well as culture.
The month-long 'Kashi Tamil Sangamam' programme will be organised in Varanasi from November 17th to December 16th to rediscover the centuries-old bond of knowledge and ancient civilisational linkage between Kashi and Tamil Nadu.
As part of the program of IIT and BHU, academic exchanges – seminars, discussions etc will be held between experts/ scholars on various facets of the two ancient manifestations of Indian Culture, with focus on bringing out the links and shared values between the two. The broader objective is to bring the two knowledge and cultural traditions closer, create and understanding of our shared heritage and deepen the people-to-people bond between the regions.
For more details, please visit https://kashitamil.iitm.ac.in/
Prime Minister's Office
Opening Remarks by Prime Minister at India-Sri Lanka Virtual Bilateral Summit
Excellency,
Prime Minister
Mahinda Rajapaksa
Namaskar,
Ayubovan,
Vanakkam
Excellency,
I warmly welcome you to this virtual summit.As always, we would be very happy to welcome you to India on your first official visit.That invitation will always be there for you.Given the current situation, I am happy that we are having this virtual summit.You accepted my invitation for this summit,I thank you very much for this.
I congratulate you for assuming the position of Prime Minister.I congratulate you again for the massive victory of SLPP in the parliamentary elections.This historic victory shows the public's confidence in your leadership.The multi-faceted relationship between India and Sri Lanka dates back thousands of years.Under My Neighborhood First Policy and SAGAR Doctrine of my Government, we attach special and high priority to relations with Sri Lanka.India and Sri Lanka also cooperate closely on the BIMSTEC, IORA, SAARC forums.
After the recent victory of your party, there has been a great opportunity to add a new historical chapter in India and Sri Lanka relations.People of both countries are looking at us with renewed hope and enthusiasm.I am confident that the strong mandate you have received and the strong support your policies have received from Parliament will help us progress in all areas of bilateral cooperation.
I now request Prime Minister Rajapaksha to make his opening remarks.
Disclaimer: This is the approximate translation. Original remarks were delivered in Hindi.
Special Service and Features
AAI, Southern Region and Chennai Airport observed Vigilance Awareness week 2022
Airports Authority of India, Southern Region and Chennai Airport observed Vigilance Awareness week 2022 from 31thOctober to 6th November 2022, in compliance of the instructions of Central Vigilance Commission. The VAW-2022 commenced on 31st October 2022, with the administration of Integrity Pledge by all the employees of AAI. Dr. Mathew Jolly IRS, Principal Commissioner, Customs attended the inaugural function as the Chief Guest, in presence of Shri. Venkateshwar. L, RED-SR and Dr.Sharad Kumar, Airport Director, Chennai Airport.
Various competitions were conducted in schools, colleges during the week, as outreach activities in order to inculcate good moral and ethical values in young children. A street play was also performed by students from Kendriya Vidyalaya, Meenambakkam at the terminal building for creating awareness among passengers and staff.
A one day Preventive Vigilance Workshop was organized on 01.11.2022,which included a session on EPF compliance Shri Himanshu Kumar, PF Commissioner, Tambaram and a lecture on Vigilance as a tool of management by Shri C L Ramakrishnan, IPS , Ex-DGP, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption.
Dr. P. Kandaswamy IPS, Director, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, Tamil Nadu delivered a lecture for staff and officers of Airports Authority of India on 4th November 2022. In the lecture, he highlighted that the reason behind corruption is the individual’s greed for making money, which in turn erodes the moral values in individuals and in the Society as a whole. He also insisted on importance of practicing higher moral and ethical values. Shri Venkateshwar.L, Regional Executive Director and Dr. Sharad Kumar, Airport Director also addressed the gathering.
Prizes for various competitions held for AAI employees, and in schools, colleges and Staff during the week, as outreach activities, were distributed in the function.
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Ministry of Defence
Inaugural Edition of Indo-Egypt Joint Training Exercise Cyclone - I Commences in Rajasthan
The first ever joint exercise between the special forces of the Indian Army and the Egyptian Army named “Exercise Cyclone-I” is in progress at Jaisalmer in Rajasthan since 14 January 2023. The exercise aims to bolster defence co-operation between the two nations and focus on sharing professional skills and interoperability of Special Forces in desert terrain while undertaking counter terrorism, reconnaissance, raids and other special operations.
Exercise “Cyclone - I” is the first exercise of its kind bringing the special forces of both the nations on a common platform. The 14 days long exercise which is being carried out in the deserts of Rajasthan engages both the contingents to advance special forces skills such as Sniping, Combat Free Fall, Reconnaissance, Surveillance & Target Designation, sharing of information on weapons, equipment, innovations, tactics, techniques & procedures. The participants would also undertake joint planning and drills for Special Forces operations in a mechanised warfare setting as well as surgical strikes on terrorist camps / hideouts to include sniping of High Value Targets.
The joint exercise would provide an insight into the culture and ethos of both armies thereby fostering military cooperation and interoperability to further strengthen the diplomatic relations between India and Egypt.
Ministry of Power
REC and PNB sign MoU to co-finance Infrastructure Project Debts amounting to Rs. 55,000 crores over next three years
REC Limited has signed an MoU with Punjab National Bank  to jointly explore the possibility of funding projects in the Power Sector and Infrastructure & Logistics Sector under a consortium arrangement. REC and PNB will associate with each other to co-finance loans amounting to Rs. 55,000 crores over the next three years.
Executive Director , REC, Shri T.S.C Bosh, and CGM , PNB, Shri Rajeeva signed the MoU in Gurugram today, September 26, 2023, in the presence of Director Finance, REC, Shri Ajoy Choudhary; Director , REC, Shri V K Singh and other senior officials from REC and PNB.
REC Limited, a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power, was established in 1969 and provides long-term loans and other finance products for Power sector, comprising Generation, Transmission, Distribution, Renewable Energy and new technologies like Electric Vehicles, Battery Storage and Green Hydrogen. More recently, REC has also diversified into the Non-Power Infrastructure sector comprising Roads & Expressways, Metro Rail, Airports, IT Communication, Social & Commercial Infrastructure , Ports and Electro-Mechanical  works in respect of various other sectors like Steel and Refinery. The loan book of REC exceeds Rs. 4,54,393 Crore.
Punjab National Bank  is a Public Sector Bank and is involved in banking business across the country with worldwide presence including in the funding of infrastructure Projects. Founded in 1894, PNB is one of the largest Public Sector Banks in the country with Global Gross Business at ₹ 22,14,741 crores.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Dr Mansukh Mandaviya addresses National Voluntary Blood Donation Day
More than 2.5 lakh people have voluntarily donated blood under the Raktdaan Amrit Mahotsav
Union Health Minister felicitates voluntary blood donors and States/UTs that have done exemplary work in this field
“On the National Voluntary Blood Donation Day, let us all pledge to be always there for someone else and donate blood regularly”
“The success of Raktdaan Amrit Mahotsav has strengthened the noble cause of humanity which will help immensely in saving many precious lives. Blood donation is a noble cause and given our rich culture and tradition of Seva and Sahyog, on the National Voluntary Blood Donation Day, let us all pledge to be always there for someone else and donate blood regularly.” This was stated by Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya while addressing National Blood Donation Day 2022 at AIIMS, New Delhi today. Dr Atul Goel, DGHS and Dr M. Srinivas, Director, AIIMS were also present at the event.
Accentuating the importance of blood donation, Union Health Minister said Blood donation is Seva. And, it is our responsibility to help each other. India's covid pandemic response was inspired by the rich tradition of lok bhagidari and have showed the way to manage the pandemic and in turn led to world's largest covid vaccination exercise. Raktdaan Amrit Mahotsav was aimed to blood donation, blood distribution and blood management. It has also helped to increase awareness regarding regular non-remunerated voluntary blood donations and ensure that blood or its components  are available, accessible, affordable and safe. The success of Raktdaan Amrit Mahotsav has strengthened the noble cause of humanity which will help immensely in saving many precious lives. More than 2.5 lakh people have voluntarily donated blood under the Raktdaan Amrit Mahotsav.”
The Union Health Minister also felicitated voluntary blood donors and States/UTs that have done exemplary work, rare blood group donors, regular Single Donor Platelets  donors, women blood donors, regular voluntary blood donors.
Ministry of Heavy Industries
Strategic disinvestment of select CPSEs a priority for the Government
Strategic disinvestment of select CPSEs will continue to remain a priority of the Government said Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister while presenting Union Budget 2019-20 in Parliament today. In view of current macro-economic parameters, the Government will not only reinitiate the process of strategic disinvestment of Air India, but will offer more CPSEs for strategic participation by the private sector.
The Government will undertake strategic sale of PSUs and will also continue to do consolidation of PSUs in the non-financial space as well.
The Finance Minister said that Government is considering, to go below 51% to an appropriate level, on case to case basis, in case where the Undertaking is still to be retained in Government control. The Government has also decided to modify present policy of retaining 51% stake inclusive of the stake of Government controlled institutions.
She said that Government intends to further encourage retail participation in CPSEs which, of late, has shown very encouraging upward trend. In order to provide additional investment space, the Government will realign its holding in CPSEs, including Banks to permit greater availability of its shares and to improve depth of its market.
ETFs have proved to be an important investment opportunity for retail investors and has turned out to be a good instrument for Government of India’s divestment programme. To expand this further, Government will offer an investment option in ETFs on the lines of Equity Linked Savings Scheme . This will also encourage long term investment in CPSEs.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya distributes Green Ribbons to spread awareness on Mental Health
Mental Health is an essential component of Holistic Health; awareness on it will go a long way to address the stigma surrounding it: Union Health Minister
“Mental Health is an essential component of Holistic Health and awareness on it will go a long way to address the stigma surrounding it”. Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare stated this as he launched the Green Ribbon Initiative, here today. The event was organised by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in partnership with Hansraj College, Delhi to raise awareness on Mental Health as part of the activities being taken up during ongoing Mental Health Awareness Week, 5th-10th October.
10th October is observed around the world as World Mental Health Day.
On the occasion, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya distributed green ribbons among the officials of the Union Health Ministry and media persons present to spread awareness regarding mental health. He also urged the students of Hansraj College to spread awareness regarding mental health issues among their peers and in the community.
Distributing green ribbons among senior officials, he said, “This green ribbon is a symbol of mental health. We need to spread more and more awareness about mental health in our society.” Dr. Mandaviya underscored that all types of Health and Wellbeing are essential for progress. “Without healthy individuals, there will not be a healthy family and by extension a healthy society and a healthy nation. Ill health, either physical or mental, leads to poor productivity thereby adversely affecting the growth and productivity of nations”, he stated.
The Minister also exhorted the gathering to actively address the issue of Mental Health in India: “Out of ten, three students suffer from mental health issues. 14% of our children are suffering from mental health issues.” He spoke on the need to sensitize parents, teachers and other stakeholders to spot and assist young citizens in need of help. He observed, “We need to the conversation on mental health issues first within the family and gradually include the school environment too. We need to train our teachers in such a manner that they will be able to easily detect mental health issues in children”. He further stated that it is important to recognise, acknowledge and diagnose a mental health issue and treat it as such.”
Dr. Sunil Kumar, Director General of Health Services, Shri Vikas Sheel, Additional Secretary and Mission Director , Shri Vishal Chouhan, Joint Secretary  and other senior Health Ministry officials were present on the occasion.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Revenue Generated through Export and Import
Details of revenue generated from the customs duty  during last ten years from 2009-10 to 2018-19 is as follows:
|
|

|
|
Sr. No:
|
|
Years
|
|
Customs Duty  Import & Export
|
|
% Change
|
|
IGST+ Compensation Cess  from Imports
|
|
% Change
|
|
1
|
|
2009-10
|
|
83,324
|
|
---
|
|
Not Applicable (As GST has been introduced w.e.f. 1st July, 2017.
|
|
2
|
|
2010-11
|
|
1,35,813
|
|
63.0
|
|
3
|
|
2011-12
|
|
1,49,328
|
|
10.0
|
|
4
|
|
2012-13
|
|
1,65,346
|
|
10.7
|
|
5
|
|
2013-14
|
|
1,72,085
|
|
4.1
|
|
6
|
|
2014-15
|
|
1,88,016
|
|
9.3
|
|
7
|
|
2015-16
|
|
2,10,338
|
|
11.9
|
|
8
|
|
2016-17
|
|
2,25,370
|
|
7.1
|
|
9
|
|
2017-18
|
|
1,29,030
|
|
-42.7
|
|
2,00,650
|
|
---
|
|
10
|
|
2018-19 
|
|
1,17,911
|
|
-8.6
|
|
3,03,814
|
|
51.4
Note: The Customs  has been subsumed under GST w.e.f. 1st July, 2017.
Source: Receipts Budget, PrCCA, CBIC, =Provisional
The revenue generated from customs duty has an increasing trend from 2009-10 to 2016-17. As the customs  has been subsumed under GST from 1st July 2017, the customs duty collection has declined in 2017-18 and 2018-19 while the revenue generated fromIGST+ Compensation Cess  from imports has substantially increased in past two years.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, PiyushGoyal, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 Vaccination Update
More than 26 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 1.53 crore doses still available with States/UTs to be administered
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In addition, the Govt. of India has also been facilitating direct procurement of vaccines by the States/UTs. Vaccination is an integral pillar of the comprehensive strategy of Government of India for containment and management of the pandemic, along with Test, Track, Treat and COVID Appropriate Behaviour.
Implementation of the Liberalized and Accelerated Phase-3 Strategy of Covid-19 Vaccination has started from 1st May 2021.
Under the Strategy, gin every month 50% of the total Central Drugs Laboratory  cleared vaccine doses of any manufacturer would be procured by Govt. of India. It would continue to make these doses available to the State Govts totally free of cost as was being done earlier.
More than 26 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far, through Government of India  and through direct state procurement category.
Of this, the total consumption, including wastages is 25,12,66,637 doses .
More than 1.53 crore  COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Furthermore, more than 4 lakh  vaccine doses are in the pipeline and will be received by the States/UTs within the next 3 days.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh says, the Deep Ocean Mission is intended for the better understanding of the deep sea living and non-living resources of the Indian Ocean thereby aiding efforts on Blue Economy
Union Minister of State, PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Minister of State  Science & Technology, M/o Earth Sciences; MoS, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the Deep Ocean Mission is intended for the better understanding of the deep sea living and non-living resources of the Indian Ocean thereby aiding efforts on Blue Economy.
In a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the Deep Ocean Mission is a multi-ministerial, multi-disciplinary programme with emphasis on development of deep-sea technology that includes development of Manned Submersible rated for 6000 metre water depth along with technologies for deep sea mining, exploration of deep-sea minerals resources and marine biodiversity, development of ocean climate change advisory services, deep sea surveys and exploration, and capacity building in Marine Biology.
The Minister added that the design and development of sub-systems of Manned Submersible to carry 3 humans has been completed and integration is in progress. The design of mining machine is ready and demonstration trial is planned during 2024-26. The activities like exploration of Marine biodiversity, development of ocean climate change advisory services, and acquisition of multidisciplinary research vessel for deep sea surveys is in progress.
Dr Jitendra Singh further said that the technologies developed under the Mission would help in exploration of the oceans and possible harnessing of non-living resources like energy, fresh water, and strategic minerals. The advisories to be developed under Vertical 2 of the Mission about Sea level, intensity and frequency of the storms etc. would be useful for the societal and economical benefits of the Indian coastal regions. Exploration for the strategic minerals like Cobalt, Nickel, Copper and Manganese are expected to pave way for the future commercial exploitation of these resources. Studies on Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion are intended for the offshore generation of energy and fresh water.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Shri G Kishan Reddy lists steps taken by Delhi Police to increase women safety and security in Delhi during the last three years and the current year
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri G Kishan Reddy, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha to a question regarding steps taken by the Delhi Police to increase women safety and security in Delhi during the last three years and the current year said that Delhi Police has taken a number of measures to prevent; and expeditiously detect and investigate crimes against women. These inter-alia include dynamic identification of crime-prone areas and deployment of police resources accordingly; launch of the ‘Himmat Plus’ app; stationing of women PCR vans in vulnerable areas; exclusive women help desks in Police Stations; dedicated women helpline number; regular liaison with civic agencies for ensuring proper lighting; constitution of Police Station-level women safety committees; and the ‘Sashakti’ programme for imparting self-defence training to women/girls.
In order to improve conviction rate in respect of crimes against women, the steps taken inter-alia include separation of investigation from law & order and general duties; creation of legal cells in all Police Districts and Police Head Quarters; monitoring the progress of cases pending in courts; regular training of Investigation Officers; and, pursuing heinous cases through specialized units such as Crime Branch, Special Cell.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Chandigarh performing Consistently well during last 5 years in Swachh Survekshans 
Chandigarh has been performing consistently well during the last 5 years in the SwachhSurvekshans , which includes Solid Waste Management  as one of the parameters. Chandigarh is also a Three Star certified city in Garbage Free City  rating protocol for cities.
To further improve the performance in SWM, various steps have been taken by Government, which inter alia includes, funding of SWM projects; issuance of directions, advisories and guidelines on SWM ; organising Capacity Building  workshops; reviewing performance periodically, etc.
This was informed by Minister of State  for Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Hardeep Singh Puri in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.